Isaiah 24-27
(Day of Judgement)

July 21st


Produced by The Listening for God Ministry
Copyright 2016
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Please refer to one or more Bible versions of your choice to read this section. We recommend that you read at least two versions for added understanding. For your convenience, we have provided six links below, each of which takes you directly to today's chapters in a specific version:

Key Verse

Therefore a curse devours the earth,

and its inhabitants pay for their guilt;

Therefore they who dwell on earth have dwindled,

and only a few are left.

- Isaiah 24:6 (NAB)

Summary of Chapters

This group of chapters contains a section of Isaiah that has been labeled by some experts as “A Little Apocalypse" or "Isaiah's Apocalypse." Some experts speculate that this section may have been added by a disciple of Isaiah long after his ministry on earth had ended.

Chapter 24 begins this ominous section by detailing a coming day of judgment on the earth: “Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. (Isa 24:1 - KJV).”

The author then describes how the inhabitants had failed to care for the earth or obey God’s laws. He describes a remnant that survives to praise God ("These shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for joy in the majesty of the LORD 24:7a - NAB"), while others are chased down by God. The author describes the terror to come:

    Earth is smashed to pieces,
       earth is ripped to shreds,
       earth is wobbling out of control,
    Earth staggers like a drunk,
       sways like a shack in a high wind.
    Its piled-up sins are too much for it.
       It collapses and won't get up again.

    - Isaiah 24:19-20 (MSG)

In chapter 25 the author praises God for his power to destroy and his strength to protect. He foresees a day when the LORD will have a banquet for all people and “will swallow up death forever (Isa 25:8 - NIV).”

The 26th chapter is a song of praise that includes acknowledgements of what the LORD does for those who are faithful: “Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace— in peace because they trust in you (Isa 26:3 - NRSV).”

In the last chapter of this section (27) the author envisions the deliverance of Israel. On that day the LORD will slay the Leviathan (a symbol of evil) and restore his vineyard. “Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit (Isa 27:6 - NIV).”

In the final verse, Isaiah describes how the LORD will gather the scattered people from around the world and return them to the holy mountain, where they will worship the LORD.

Reflection and Application

The Day of Judgment will come. We don’t know when, but should always be prepared by continually praying and confessing so that we will be among the remnant of survivors. We know God wins in the end and he offers restoration to his believers up until the very end because he loves us. We shall see more of this apocalyptic imagery in other prophetic passages of the Bible, including the final book, Revelation, which has many references to Isaiah, including the one shown below, which is part of the description of the end of Babylon and closely resembles a passage from Isaiah that we read today:

    The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,
       will never be heard in you again.
    No worker of any trade
       will ever be found in you again.
    The sound of a millstone
       ill never be heard in you again.

    - Revelation 18:22 (NIV)

    The joyful timbrels are stilled,
    the noise of the revelers has stopped,
    the joyful harp is silent.

    - Isaiah 24:8 (NIV)

The author of this section of Isaiah was correct in prophesizing that the inhabitants would fail to care for the earth. We have polluted it and created weapons of mass destruction that could destroy it. We have sent a man to the moon, launched a spaceship to Pluto, invented liquid cheese, created a self-driving car, and can carry 5,000 recorded songs in the palm of our hand, but have yet to be able to achieve worldwide peace with all of our fellow humans.

Granted we have made some progress in slowing the growth of pollution and in retiring weapons. We brought the Cold War to a quiet end and old missile sites have been turned into parks and playgrounds, such as the Great Falls Nike Park in Herndon, Virginia, where there is a playground and ball fields where the author of this study once played soccer. But we still have a long way to go before we have turned all of our swords into plowshares. One day God will deliver us into a world of peace.

The author of Isaiah 27 uses the imagery of the vineyard again, this time to illustrate restoration and the return of good fruit.

    At that same time, a fine vineyard will appear.
       There’s something to sing about!
    I, God, tend it.
       I keep it well-watered.
    I keep careful watch over it
       so that no one can damage it.

    - Isaiah 27:2-3 (MSG)

In the New Testament, Jesus also often uses the imagery of vineyards in his parables and analogies. In the Gospel of John, he says that

    “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”

    - John 15:5-6 (NRSV)

If we want to be fruitful branches then we will accept Jesus' invitation of friendship and love. If we want Jesus to remain in us then we study his word with all of our heart and mind and soul. If we do that, then we can fill the world with the fruit of the spirit that comes from within us. This is our blessed assurance.

"Blessed Assurance," performed by Alan Jackson


Questions and Prayers for Further Reflection


Related Questions
  1. When was the last time you stared at the clouds? What did you see?
  2. What experiences have you had in vineyards?
  3. What can each of us do to contribute to a peaceful world?
  4. How do we remain connected to the vine of Jesus?

Recommended Prayer
Father in heaven, we know that you will bring a day of judgment at a time of your choosing. Help us to stay connected you like a fruitful branch until that day arrives.

Suggested Prayer Concerns
Vineyard Workers

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow's reading: Isaiah 28-30 (Sav Lasav Sav Lasav)

Comments and Questions
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